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2-mark Questions (identify two things each)
Q1: Identify two forms of social inequality.
Answer:
Income inequality
Gender inequality
Q2: Identify two ways governments try to reduce inequality.
Answer:
Taxation
Welfare benefits
Q3: Identify two examples of minority ethnic groups.
Answer:
South Asian
African Americans
4-mark Questions (describe two things each)
Q1: Describe two ways women may experience inequality in the workplace.
Answer:
Pay gap – Women may be paid less than men for similar work.
Glass ceiling – Women may be blocked from top management positions.
Q2: Describe two ways social class affects life chances.
Answer:
Education – Working-class children may have fewer opportunities for higher education.
Health – Lower social classes often have worse access to healthcare, affecting life expectancy.
Q3: Describe two ways age can lead to inequality.
Answer:
Employment discrimination – Older workers may struggle to find jobs or face forced retirement.
Stereotyping – Young people may be unfairly labelled as irresponsible or criminal.
8-mark Questions (2 strengths + 2 limitations with explanations)
Q1: Describe two strengths and two limitations of using official statistics to study social inequality.
Answer:
Strength 1: Large-scale data – Covers whole populations, giving representative insights.
Strength 2: Easy comparison – Enables tracking changes over time or between groups.
Limitation 1: Lack of detail – Statistics may miss personal experiences of inequality.
Limitation 2: Government bias – Data may reflect political agendas or underreport issues.
Q2: Describe two strengths and two limitations of using interviews to study inequality.
Answer:
Strength 1: In-depth responses – Allows participants to explain personal experiences.
Strength 2: Clarification possible – Researchers can probe for more detail.
Limitation 1: Time-consuming – Limits the number of participants studied.
Limitation 2: Interviewer bias – Questions or tone may influence responses.
Q3: Describe two strengths and two limitations of using surveys to study inequality.
Answer:
Strength 1: Large samples – Can collect data from many people for generalization.
Strength 2: Cost-effective – Cheaper than some qualitative methods.
Limitation 1: Superficial answers – Closed questions may limit depth of responses.
Limitation 2: Low response rates – Some groups may be underrepresented if they don’t reply.
10-mark Questions (5 points each with explanation)
Q1: Explain how social class can impact life chances.
Answer:
Education access – Wealthier families can afford better schools and tuition.
Health outcomes – Lower classes often have higher illness rates due to poor living conditions.
Employment opportunities – Higher-class individuals may access better-paying jobs.
Housing quality – Poorer families may live in overcrowded or unsafe housing.
Social networks – Higher classes may have influential connections that aid success.
Q2: Explain how ethnicity can affect experiences of inequality.
Answer:
Discrimination – Ethnic minorities may face bias in hiring.
Educational disadvantage – Language barriers or lower expectations from teachers.
Policing and justice – Over-policing or harsher sentencing of minority groups.
Housing segregation – Limited access to desirable neighborhoods.
Cultural stereotyping – Negative media portrayals reinforcing prejudice.
Q3: Explain how governments try to reduce social inequality.
Answer:
Progressive taxation – Higher earners pay more to fund social programs.
Welfare benefits – Financial support for low-income families.
Free education – Access to schooling regardless of income.
Healthcare provision – Free or subsidized medical care to reduce health inequality.
Anti-discrimination laws – Legal protection against unfair treatment in work and society.
15-mark Essay Questions (full essay form)
Essay 1: ‘Social class is the main cause of inequality in society.’ Discuss this view.
Introduction
Social class refers to a hierarchy based on economic position, while inequality is the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities. Some argue social class is the main driver of inequality, while others see factors like gender and ethnicity as equally important.
Body 1: Social class as the main cause
Social class affects education, with wealthier families accessing better schools. It shapes employment, as higher classes secure better-paid, secure jobs. Health inequalities link to poverty, with working-class people facing worse outcomes. Social class also determines housing, with poorer families in lower-quality homes. Marxists argue class is the key division in society, shaping all other inequalities.
Body 2: Other causes of inequality
However, gender causes inequality through pay gaps and glass ceilings. Ethnicity affects employment and policing, with minorities facing discrimination. Age also matters, with young and old people facing stereotyping and exclusion. Intersectionality shows these inequalities overlap and cannot be reduced to class alone. Feminists argue patriarchy is a fundamental cause that exists across classes.
Conclusion
While social class is a major cause of inequality, other factors like gender and ethnicity also play crucial roles. I believe inequality is multi-dimensional and best understood by considering all these factors together.
Essay 2: ‘Ethnic minorities face disadvantage in all areas of society.’ Discuss this view.
Introduction
Ethnic minorities are groups with different cultural, racial, or national backgrounds from the dominant population. Some argue they face disadvantage in all aspects of life, while others suggest opportunities are improving or disadvantages vary by context.
Body 1: Evidence of disadvantage
Ethnic minorities may face employment discrimination, limiting job opportunities. Education gaps can arise from language barriers or teacher bias. Housing segregation and poorer neighbourhoods restrict life chances. Policing often targets minorities disproportionately. Media can reinforce negative stereotypes, worsening social exclusion.
Body 2: Evidence of improvement/variation
However, some ethnic minority groups achieve high educational success. Anti-discrimination laws improve legal protection. Diversity policies encourage inclusive workplaces. Intermarriage and cultural exchange show integration. Not all minorities face the same issues equally, with some more affected by inequality than others.
Conclusion
While ethnic minorities often face significant disadvantages, the extent varies across groups and areas of life. In my view, there is clear evidence of disadvantage, but also signs of progress that challenge the idea of universal inequality.
Essay 3: ‘Women still face significant inequality in modern society.’ Discuss this view.
Introduction
Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment based on gender. Some argue that despite progress, women continue to face major inequalities, while others believe society has become more equal.
Body 1: Evidence of continued inequality
Women earn less on average than men, showing the pay gap persists. They face the glass ceiling in leadership roles. Unpaid care work disproportionately falls to women. Violence against women remains widespread. Media often portrays women in stereotypical roles.
Body 2: Evidence of greater equality
However, legal reforms ensure equal rights in work and education. Women increasingly enter professional fields. Changing attitudes promote gender equality in families. Men also take on caregiving roles. Feminists argue progress has been made, though challenges remain.
Conclusion
While significant progress has occurred, many forms of gender inequality persist. I believe women still face important barriers that need to be addressed for true equality.
QUESTIONS DONE BY FARIDA SABET
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